Announcements

† IN OUR PRAYERS  Sue V., suffering mobility issues due to her left foot, so she will be having surgery in January; Kathy P., suffering health issues;   Jack H., recovering at home; Paula B., April K., Sara P., Sara T., undergoing treatment for cancer.

† GUEST PASTOR  It is wonderful to have Pastor Schumacher, retired pastor from Grace in Aurora, and his wife, Elaine, here today.  Thank you, Pastor Schumacher, for handling the services.

† DIALOG EVENTS  Many have participated in events led by Good Shepherd’s IIM
Transition team.  Participants describe their connection to Good Shepherd and listen to other members doing the same. Hoping to reach as many members as
possible, the team has scheduled two more events for this month.  Between
worship services today and January 24, team members will lead sessions in the conference room near to the main entryway.  Your involvement will help your church prepare for new leadership.  Please make time to participate.

† 2016 USHER SCHEDULES are on the round table in the narthex.  If you have any questions you can contact Tom D. or the church office at 358-1325.

† DISASTER RESPONSE  Severe weather affected several states during the Christmas season this year, including our own area. We give thanks to God that no members of Good Shepherd have reported destruction of property leading to severe financial hardship. Today you have the opportunity to express your gratitude by helping others who were hurt by storms. Please consider contributing to the offering collected at the door which will be sent to the Lutheran Church––Missouri Synod for Disaster Response. 

† THE JR CONFIRMATION CLASS  will not meet today at 1:00 pm.  They will meet next Sunday, January 24.

† TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will not meet this Tuesday.

† VOTERS’ MEETING  The regular Voters’ Meeting is scheduled for next Sunday at 7:00 pm.  Along with the regular business, a call committee will need to be approved to begin the call process.

† HEAD START ON SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY   Through the month of January we are asking for canned soup, dried beans and rice to help fill the shelves at Crosslines of Carthage.  Bring your donations and place them in the round container in the narthex or the shopping cart in the entry downstairs.  If you would prefer to give   a monetary donation there are envelopes on the round table in the narthex.  The envelopes can be returned to Nan Borg or dropped off at the church office. Everyone wins when we team up to help!

† ED AND ELLEN L.  We received a letter from Sue L., the daughter of Ed and Ellen, letting us know that her parents had passed away within less than two months of each other at the end of 2015.  There will be a joint service held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 11:00 am at Messiah Lutheran Church in Mounds View, MN.  The letter from Sue is hanging on the bulletin board above the information desk.

† LUTHERAN WITNESS SUBSCRIPTIONS  It’s about your faith, your church, your world.  Subscription cost is $15.96.  A sign up sheet is in the narthex and you can pay by simply writing a check to Good Shepherd and putting Lutheran Witness in the memo line.

† FLOWER CHART, 2016  If you would like to place flowers at the altar for a special occasion or in memory of someone, please sign the flower chart hanging on the wall next to the water fountain in the hallway.  Simply write your name, phone number, and occasion with the pen provided.

† NURSERY/CRY ROOM  Should your child become distressed or distract others during the service, a furnished nursery/cry room is located in the narthex for your use.  Please ask one of the ushers if you need directions.

† IN OUR PRAYERS  Sue V., suffering mobility issues due to her left foot, so she will be having surgery in January; Kathy P., suffering health issues;   Jack H., recovering at home; Paula B., April K., Sara P., Sara T., undergoing treatment for cancer.

† DIALOG EVENTS  Many have participated in events led by Good Shepherd’s IIM
Transition team.  Participants describe their connection to Good Shepherd and listen to other members doing the same. Hoping to reach as many members as
possible, the team has scheduled two more events for this month.  Between
worship services on Sunday, January 17 and January 24, team members will
lead sessions in the conference room near to the main entryway.  Your
involvement will help your church prepare for new leadership.  Please make
time to participate.

† 2016 USHER SCHEDULES are on the round table in the narthex.  If you have any questions you can contact Tom D. or the church office at 358-1325.

† DISASTER RESPONSE  Severe weather affected several states during the Christmas season this year, including our own area. We give thanks to God that no members of Good Shepherd have reported destruction of property leading to severe financial hardship. Today you have the opportunity to express your gratitude by helping others who were hurt by storms. Please consider contributing to the offering collected at the door which will be sent to the Lutheran Church––Missouri Synod for Disaster Response. 

† THE JR CONFIRMATION CLASS  will meet today at 1:00 pm.  They will not meet next Sunday, January 17.

† CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING  this evening at 7:00 pm.

† HEAD START ON SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY   Through the month of January we are asking for canned soup, dried beans and rice to help fill the shelves at Crosslines   of Carthage.  Bring your donations and place them in the round container in the narthex or the shopping cart in the entry downstairs.  If you would prefer to give a monetary donation there are envelopes on the round table in the narthex.  The envelopes can be returned to Nan Borg or dropped off at the church office. Everyone wins when we team up to help!

† ED AND ELLEN L. We received a letter from Sue L., the daughter of Ed and Ellen, letting us know that her parents had passed away within less than two months of each other at the end of 2015.  There will be a joint service held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 11:00 am at Messiah Lutheran Church in Mounds View, MN.  The letter from Sue is hanging on the bulletin board above the information desk.

† OFFERING ENVELOPES  The 2016 offering envelopes are on the table in the narthex.  Please remember to discard your 2015 envelopes and use only the 2016 envelopes.  If you do not see your name and want envelopes, please contact the church office.  Likewise, if you prefer not to use them and see your name, simply write NO on the label.

† LUTHERAN WITNESS SUBSCRIPTIONS  It’s about your faith, your church, your world.  Subscription cost is $15.96.  A sign up sheet is in the narthex and you can pay by simply writing a check to Good Shepherd and putting Lutheran Witness in the memo line.

† FLOWER CHART, 2016  If you would like to place flowers at the altar for a special occasion or in memory of someone, please sign the flower chart hanging on the wall next to the water fountain in the hallway.  Simply write your name, phone number, and occasion with the pen provided.

† NURSERY/CRY ROOM  Should your child become distressed or distract others during the service, a furnished nursery/cry room is located in the narthex for your use.  Please ask one of the ushers if you need directions.

† IN OUR PRAYERS Sue V., suffering mobility issues due to her left foot, so she will be having surgery in January; Kathy P., suffering health issues; Jack H., recovering at home; Paula B., April K., Sara P., Sara T., undergoing treatment for cancer.

† THE JR CONFIRMATION CLASS will meet today at 1:00 pm.

† STEPHEN MINISTRY The Stephen Ministry Training class will meet tomorrow at 6:00 pm.

† 2016 CHURCH OFFICERS INSTALLED TODAY We are grateful to the following members of the congregation who were selected to serve this year in the following positions:
President: David W.
Vice-President: Jim B.
Secretary: Jan B.
Treasurer: Glenn M.
Financial Secretary: Luke H.
Elders: Rick C., Michael G., Greg G., Don L., John N., Rob S.
Trustees: Bill C., Joe L., Walter R., Doug S.
Dir. of Christian Ed: Denise G.

† CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING There will be a Church Council Meeting next Sunday, January 10, at 7:00 pm.

† HEAD START ON SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY  Through the month of January we are asking for canned soup, dried beans and rice to help fill the shelves at Crosslines of Carthage. Bring your donations and place them in the round container in the narthex or the shopping cart in the entry downstairs. If you would prefer to give a monetary donation there will be envelopes on the round table in the narthex. Everyone wins when we team up to help! 

† OFFERING ENVELOPES  The 2016 offering envelopes are on the table in the narthex.  Please remember to discard your 2015 envelopes and use only the 2016 envelopes beginning today.  If you do not see your name and want envelopes, please contact the church office.  Likewise, if you prefer not to use them and see your name, simply write NO on the label.

† PORTALS OF PRAYER  The new Portals of Prayer for the winter are on the table by the nursery in the narthex.

† LUTHERAN WITNESS SUBSCRIPTIONS  It’s about your faith, your church, your world. Subscription cost is $15.96. A sign up sheet is in the narthex and you can pay by simply writing a check to Good Shepherd and putting Lutheran Witness in the memo line.

† POINSETTIAS  Remember, if you purchased a poinsettia it is yours to take home. Thank you for helping beautify the sanctuary.

† FLOWER CHART, 2016  If you would like to place flowers at the altar for a special occasion or in memory of someone, please sign the flower chart hanging on the wall next to the water fountain in the hallway.  Simply write your name, phone number, and occasion with the pen provided.

† NURSERY/CRY ROOM  Should your child become distressed or distract others during the service, a furnished nursery/cry room is located in the narthex for your use.  Please ask one of the ushers if you need directions.

† IN OUR PRAYERS  Jennifer S., recovering from surgery; Kathy P., suffering health issues; Jack H., recovering at home; Paula B., April K., Sara P., Sara T., undergoing treatment for cancer.

† THE JR CONFIRMATION CLASS will not meet today or next Sunday, Dec. 27.  Class will resume on Sunday, Jan. 3.

† SPECIAL SERVICES THIS WEEK

7:00 pm Thursday Christmas Eve candlelight service with Holy Communion.

10:45 am Friday Christmas Day Worship Service with Holy Communion.

† THE WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY GROUP will not meet this Wednesday.  Next Wednesday, Dec. 30, the group will meet at Earl Kirn’s house at 10:30 am.

† WELCOME TO BETHLEHEM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL  Please join us this evening for the Sunday School Christmas Program at 7:00 pm.  The students (well, tonight they will be the teachers) have worked hard and are very excited to share the story of Jesus’ birth with their church family!

† SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM REHEARSAL Today, along with practicing during the Sunday School hour, there will be a dress rehearsal after the late service.  A light lunch will be provided and the rehearsal will last until around 1:30 pm.   

† STEPHEN MINISTRY  The Stephen Ministry Training class will not meet tomorrow, Dec. 21 or next Monday, Dec. 28.  They will resume classes on January 4.

† OFFERING ENVELOPES  The 2016 offering envelopes are on the table in the narthex.  Please remember to discard your 2015 envelopes and use only the 2016 envelopes beginning in January.  If you do not see your name and want envelopes, please contact the church office.  Likewise, if you prefer not to use them and see your name, simply write NO on the label.

† PORTALS OF PRAYER  The new Portals of Prayer for the winter are on the table by the nursery in the narthex.

† LWML QUARTERLIES  The new Quarterlies are on the round table in the narthex.  Ladies, remember to pick one up!

† AN INVITATION FROM FIRST LUTHERAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH, NEOSHO  Today at 3:00 pm, Steven Gillmore will be ordained and installed as our new Pastor.  Please join us in giving praise and thanks to our Savior for this new chapter in our congregational life.

† POINSETTIAS  If you would like to purchase a poinsettia(s) to help adorn the sanctuary at Christmas (as in the past, it’s yours to take home after Christmas), please use the sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex.  The cost is $8.00 each.  See Diana E. about payment, and if you have any questions.

† FLOWER CHART, 2016  If you would like to place flowers at the altar for a special occasion or in memory of someone, please sign the flower chart hanging on the wall next to the water fountain in the hallway.  Simply write your name, phone number, and occasion with the pen provided.

† NURSERY/CRY ROOM  Should your child become distressed or distract others during the service, a furnished nursery/cry room is located in the narthex for your use.  Please ask one of the ushers if you need directions.